Rise of the Ogre

Infobox Book
name = Rise Of The Ogre
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption =
author = Cass Browne / Gorillaz
illustrator = Jamie Hewlett & Zombie Flesh Eaters
cover_artist = Jamie Hewlett
country =
language = English
series =
subject =
genre =
publisher =
release_date =
media_type =
pages = 304
isbn = ISBN 1-59448-931-9
preceded_by =
followed_by =

"Rise of the Ogre" is an autobiography about the virtual band Gorillaz. Ostensibly written by the four band-members in collaboration with (actual) Gorillaz musician and official scribe Cass Browne, the book is 304 pages long and is extensively illustrated. It was released in the UK on October 26, 2006 by Michael Joseph Ltd. [cite web |url = http://www.penguin.co.uk/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780718150006,00.html |title = Rise of the Ogre (UK) |accessdate = 2007-08-27 |date = 2006 |publisher = Penguin Books] and in the US on November 2, 2006 by Riverhead Books. [cite web |url = http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9781594489310,00.html |title = Rise of the Ogre (US) |accessdate = 2007-08-27 |date = 2006 |publisher = Penguin Books] A paperback edition of the book was released in the US on November 6, 2007. [cite web |url = http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9781594482717,00.html |title = Rise of the Ogre (paperback) |accessdate = 2007-08-27 |date = 2007 |publisher = Penguin Books]

"Rise of the Ogre" has also been released as the world's first audiobook singles. The four part audiobook was narrated by Joss Ackland. Initially an iTunes exclusive, one part was released every week for four weeks beginning December 4, 2006. [cite web |url = http://fans.gorillaz.com/news0699.php#061202 |title = Jackagory! |accessdate = 2007-08-08 |date = 2007-12-02 |publisher = fans.gorillaz.com] However, the audiobook on iTunes remains incomplete.

Contents

The book details the fictional life-stories of the band-members: Murdoc Niccals, 2D, Russel Hobbs and Noodle. It contains previously unknown secrets of the band, such as future plans of the movie, new and rare art by Gorillaz co-creator Jamie Hewlett, the "low down" on Kong Studios, their headquarters, and the story of the truth behind the "El Mañana" video. The book blends fact and fiction throughout, interspersing commentary from the fictional band members with actual quotes from their creators, collaborators and critics.

Marketing

In October, a promo trailer for the book was released on the band's official website which is still available for viewing.

During its availability for pre-order, there was a contest to win a copy of the book signed by Hewlett and Browne themselves. Only 50 of the copies got the signatures. Another contest that ran before the release of the book was a video contest; announced on the Gorillaz MySpace, it asked for fans to submit a video trailer for the book. The winner would receive a signed copy of the book, a signed poster and a framed original color proof from the book, with five runners-up receiving unsigned copies. The official fansite also mentioned the winning video would be posted on Gorillaz.com, but as of January 2007, no winners have been publicly announced.

Band creators Jamie Hewlett and Damon Albarn also appeared in Oxford Street, London bookstore Waterstone's to sign copies of the book on November 6, 2006 from 6pm-7pm (note the use of sixes on the date as a reference to Murdoc's satanic ways). Another book signing took place in a Pop-Up shop on London's South Bank where Jamie Hewlett appeared along with Cass Browne.

References

External links

* [http://www.gorillaz.com/intro_roto.html "Rise of the Ogre" preview trailer]
* [http://gorillaz-news.livejournal.com/174725.html#cutid1 Review and scans from Gorillaz-Unofficial]